Anger at the replacement refs boiled over Monday after a controversial end zone call determined the fate of the game between the Green Bay Packers and the Seattle Seahawks. Obama wasn't the only politician to weigh in.

Mitt Romney, the president's Republican challenger, told CNN National Political Correspondent Jim Acosta, "I’d certainly like to see some experienced referees, with NFL experience, come back on to the NFL playing fields."

Paul Ryan, Romney's running mate and a congressman from Wisconsin, took it a step further, saying in Ohio, '"Give me a break. It is time to get the real refs."

"We need to get the strike over and get more experienced people in there," former President Bill Clinton told CNN's Piers Morgan Tuesday.

Perhaps the strangest response came from former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, who tweeted a message featuring Ellis the Elephant, the protagonist of his wife Callista's children’s' book.

Tuesday wasn't the first time Obama weighed in on the replacement officials, who are substituting for regular referees engaged in a labor lock-out. Last week the president asked a radio host in Ohio, "Is it just me or do we have to get our regular refs back?"

"I can't get involved with it, but I'm just expressing my point of view as a sports fan," Obama said of the labor dispute keeping NFL referees from officiating.

After delivering his speech at the United Nations General Assembly Tuesday, Obama also discussed another football matter: the rollercoaster New York Jets.

Obama asked Sullivan if he was still supporting the Jets. Sullivan said he told Obama, "I support the Jets, but am tired of hearing about [Tim] Tebow."

Obama recently questioned the two quarterback system the Jets employ, using both Tim Tebow, who joined the team this season, and Mark Sanchez, who has played for the Jets since 2009.

"I've got to tell you, I don't like the idea of a quarterback controversy at the start of a season," Obama told WNBS in Ohio. "If I were a Jets fan, I'd be pretty nervous. Sanchez is not Tom Brady yet, but he led them to the playoffs two years in a row. I think Tim Tebow seems to be a wonderful young man and he's got just a great, winning attitude … but there's going to be a lot of tension in that situation."

soundoff(38 Responses)

demwit

Hey.., maybe Obama and his progressive congress can fill in for the missing refs!!
Oh wait..., I can hear it now.
Penalty! "You didn't earn that!"
Penalty! "Back to the 50 yard line and give the ball to the other team so they can get their fair share."
Penalty! "Lets even the playing field by letting this team play only 3 downs since their part of the top 1%."
Penalty! "The CO2 output is too high, the NFL must install all solar panels for its Monday night games"

September 25, 2012 03:34 pm at 3:34 pm |

IndeePendant

If Congress reps are replacement refs..
You don't need to play these guys are privileged so we will let them start half-distance form the goal.
We don't hear you guys because you are part of the 47%
No doctor for you as you are not capable of buying your own healthcare. we will let you die..
Oh, wait a minute.. we can give you vouchers...

There is never a end to what this simpleton is willing to comment on. Obama typifies what happens when we make our colleges base there enrollment on race rather then merit.

September 25, 2012 03:47 pm at 3:47 pm |

Joe

Funny to see the partisans attack Obama for talking about our most popular sport. Can you guys ever take a day off?

September 25, 2012 03:50 pm at 3:50 pm |

Blah blah the wheel's off your trailer

Romney stop being a football fan when Rush Limbaugh was denied an opportunity to purchase a football team. But that's strange because Limbaugh once said there were too many blacks in the NFL. Perhaps the two should stick to horse breeding.

September 25, 2012 03:51 pm at 3:51 pm |

spencer

"NFL fans on both sides of the aisle hope the refs' lockout is settled soon. -bo"

Ok, bo. Glad you had time to drink Whiite house beer and catch the game with some of your bros.

September 25, 2012 03:52 pm at 3:52 pm |

IndyIndependent

Where was Obama during the Chicago teacher's strike?

September 25, 2012 03:58 pm at 3:58 pm |

LynneSki

BillZ

There is never a end to what this simpleton is willing to comment on. Obama typifies what happens when we make our colleges base there enrollment on race rather then merit.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Last time I checked, the President was still human and he likes sports....why can't he comment. CNN is letting you comment on Politics does that make you a simpleton?

The second half of your comment ASSUMES the President's grades and application did no merit his acceptance into college. Perhaps that is how you got in, doesn't mean that is true for the President. You know what the say about the word ASSUME!!!!

September 25, 2012 04:08 pm at 4:08 pm |

Dave

well...Blah blah the wheel's off your trailer.. Ask Obummer why he is exempting professional athletes(which as a whole are mostly minorities)from ANY tax increase even if they make 5,10,15,30, million a year. Maybe he should stick to vacationing,that is all he is smart enough or capable of doing.

September 25, 2012 04:12 pm at 4:12 pm |

Coug9

Doesn't the President have more important things to do then watch MNF? Like.......I unno....run the COUNTRY!!!!!!!!!

Why doesn't Obama ask everybody over for a beer and they might be able to settle the dispute then maybe, just maybe he can focus on jobs and the economy.

Sorry he thinks the private sector is doing just fine and we are better of now than we were four years ago Joker in Chief.

Has anybody asked Obama why medicare will go from just under $100.00 a month now and in 2014 it will almost triple that must be the failed Obamacare that the Democrats didn't read but had to pass before they could see what's in the bill according to Nancy.